As I type this the good lady wife is stuck somehwere in Hampshire with a flat battery in a 2006 VSE Td6, having left the lights on all day . However, whilst she has a friendly chap at hand, willing to sort a jump start, she says she can't physically turn the key in the ignition either!

I've not come across this before. is there anything that would mechanically prevent the ignition from turning if the battery were flat. I've asked her to try all the the things I can think of (including the obvious 'Is it in Park dear? - that didn't go down too well!), but I'm miles away.

Any ideas out there? She's calling breakdown service, but no guarantee they'll know either if it's something too left field.

IIRC the transponder in the key links to the security system preventing a copied key (without transponder) from being used.

Thanks. I wondered about that, but surely that would be an electronic immobilisation and not a physical prevention from turning the key wouldn't it? Is there some form of electronic lock on the ignition switch that 'recognises' the right key?

The key not turning is due to the battery being flat.
Once the battery is partially charged it will turn as normal.

As above, that little weird noise you hear when you put the key in is the electronic motor locking the ignition and steering wheel.

Ah well, you live and learn! Thanks all for the info.

be very careful jump starting your car, make sure the key is NOT in the ignition when you put the jump leads on and when you have put them wait a while for the voltage to become stable V8 facelift Range Rover Autobiography 22" wheels.
1976 Harley Davidson Iron Head Sportster

Because the ignition is not on the coloumn as usual the steering lock is electric controlled by the chip in the key... Without power, the key will not turn off the immobilizer and steering lock which allows the key to turn the ignition...



Craig

As always, top quality responses and advice! Thanks everyone.

The safety tip is appreciated as well Daveo, although, sadly, I have to say this is the third time I've had to jump start it. First time I've had the ignition lock problem though, but that's what happens when you leave the lights on a car that's already got a dodgy battery! Perfect explanation of the ignition lock Craig - makes sense to me now.

In all fairness the battery had already given enough warning that it was on its way out and a new one will be in place on Friday. That should be the end of the few gremlins it's caused.

Oh, and she got home by the way...

The main thing is the wife got home safely my friend...



Craig

Doesn't your car have the automatic headlight setting ?? I have it set on auto all the time and works fine almost always (every now and then the lights don't go off, but that is maybe because I accidentally touched follow me home i.e. pushed the indicator stalk forward). MY 2010 5.0 SC Galway green and sand interior!!
Have the Faultmate MSV2 Extreme to be tinkering with the settings etc. !!

Yep. It's on auto setting 99.99% of the time, but I think she had overriden it as it was bright, but foggy.

I think it's a bit of a design flaw actually as you have to do the same if you want to use the fog lights - you just have to ro remember to switch back to 'auto' when you're done!

Ahhh, maybe she should be forgiven then if it was foggy... Bloody pain the fog light thing with auto lights...




Craig

Hi Craig, I agree a bloody pain in the behind, I have looked in the settings and you can't turn it off (at least I have not found it). MY 2010 5.0 SC Galway green and sand interior!!
Have the Faultmate MSV2 Extreme to be tinkering with the settings etc. !!

Maybe possible with "Autologic!"? Im guessing...



Craig